University of Missouri Extension

IPM1007, Revised November 2009

Practical Weed Science for the Field Scout: Corn and Soybean

Pimpernel, scarlet (Anagallis arvensis)

Summer annual broadleaf

A low-growing annual that resembles chickweed but with showy reddish-orange flowers. Seedlings have cotyledons that are triangular in outline, dark green in color, shiny and covered with small hairs. Mature plants have leaves that are opposite, oval in outline, and reach 1 inch in length. Leaves do not occur on petioles. Lower leaf surfaces have small dark purple spots. Leaves may have tiny hairs and sometimes may occur in whorls of three. Stems are square in cross section, branch at the base, and may reach 10 inches in length. Individual flowers have five petals that are orange to red in color and occur on long flower stalks.

IPM1007 Practical Weed Science for the Field Scout: Corn and Soybean | University of Missouri Extension